pleco with african cichlids?

Question

hey i have a 55 gal tank and im going to do an african cichlid setup. i wanted to know if i would be able to put my pleco in the same tank as them. im not worried about him getting eaten, but im not sure if the water conditions will hurt him as the cichlids require a fairly alkaline ph. any advice would be much appreciated. thanks

sorry another part, would i be able to put my clown loaches as well. and doesnt the high ph bother them?

Answer 1

Not the best choice to be honest. Plecos don't really make great tank mates for Africans, need different water (as you know) and will outgrow a 55 in fairly short order. Not to say it can't work, just to say it probably won't in the short term and will not in the long term. I would like to suggest you check into Synodontis catfish as a tank mate for africans, far better choice. They need the same water requirements in general and can stand up to the africans. Here's some info on synodontis:

http://www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Catfish,%20Synodontis%20(spotted).htm


Just click on the photo of the fish for more info on this one:
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/genus.php?genus_id=29

Hope that helps

EDIT: You are right, the clown loaches wouldn't do well in an african cichlid tank either.

MM

Answer 2

Clown loaches require pH of 6.0 to 7.5 and temperatures of 72 - 86 degrees. The Africans require a pH of 8.2 - 8.4 or so. The problem is that the higher the pH the quicker the ammonia levels rise and loaches are extremely susceptible to this as they have no scales (same with medicating tanks).
Plecos don't work too well in these tanks. The synodontis catfish is the recommended "cleaner" for African tanks.

Answer 3

The pleco will be totally fine in the tank iwth ur cichlids. As for the loaches. I wouldnt chance it. Well, it also depends on what kind of African cichlids you got. Some might be a little more compatible. To be on the safe side. Dont do it, until you are absolutely sure. You have a good size tank, but if you have too many cichlids they will eventually start to kill your loaches. 3 or 4 should be ok.

Answer 4

i attempted to have a pair diverse styles of plecos stay with my african cichlids while the cichlids have been small toddlers (a million.5 inches). even nevertheless my cichlids are somewhat non violent, they did no longer like the plecos for one reason or yet another. i attempted the chinese language algae eaters and the universal plecos, yet they (the cichlids) would merely homicide them (3 a million.5" cichlids as against a 6" pleco... pleco lifeless interior of two days) in case you attempt a pleco, be confident your tank does not have any aquarium salt in it, additionally, do no longer spend too plenty on the pleco except you may get a reimbursement if the fish dies with out postpone.

Answer 5

As you already mentioned the water parameters are the real question. Plecos will live just fine in neutral water though if you have Lake Tanganykan 8.5 ph extreamly hard water that's another story. I've never had a problem with plecos in moderately hard water at a 7.2 ph. There are a lot of plecos that have invaded central and southern north america. The waters in these areas are fairly hard and they seem to thrive. They also seem to make it in the amazon in dried up black water filled with leaf litter and a ph as low as 3.5 so your pleco will probably live. Thrive no though live yes.

These comments are for the common Plecosomus only and not the other sucker catfish.

Answer 6

Speaking from experience, you should be able to safely keep Clown Loaches and Plecos in the same tank as your African Cichlids. :) Enjoy - they're my favorite!

Answer 7

We have a 90 gallon tank with about 30 Cichlids (who seem to mate CONSTANTLY), two catfish, and two plecos!! They have adapted well & all seem to thrive in their happy home!

Answer 8

They often get along, but sometimes they don't.


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